April 2019 Mixed Media Expressive Painting Holiday in The Lake District

Bookings now being taken already!

Rydal Hall, Cumbria

Mon, 01 April, 2019 —
Fri, 05 April, 2019

A stunning location situated in 34 acres of woodland, Rydal Hall offers creative inspirational views all year round with such beautiful landscape on the doorstep and also within the wonderful grounds themselves - perfect for our exciting mixed media residential art holiday in the heart of The Lake District!

Introduction
The superb picturesque and dramatic local landscape close to Rydal Hall is both ideal and popular with art students who are looking to develop their style in a beautiful and stunning part of the Lake District wishing to develop a looser more contemporary style.

As a popular, energetic and encouraging art tutor Robert will help you to develop your art skills and your own personal style in lots of new and exciting ways using different media. Painting both in the spacious barn studio at Rydal Hall and painting directly in the landscape (wether permitting), this exciting outdoor and studio art holiday is the perfect combination for students who want to further develop their painting and drawing skills to new and exciting levels of expertise.

Sorry, course not for beginners as art techniques are too advanced. The art holiday is aimed at artists with some previous experience who are seeking a more expressive looser approach with their work.

Overview
A relaxed and friendly atmosphere encouraging a great learning experience
Suitable for artists with some previous painting ability
Watercolour/gouache, pastel, acrylic ink, charcoal and other drawing media creatively explored
Your accommodation in this magnificent independent and unique historic hall set amidst quite superb Lakeland landscape.
Great food and social evening get together with like minded people
Spacious well lit and warm large studio barn for indoor painting experiences
Inspirational locations to paint within the grounds of Rydal Hall itself and at Rydal Water itself
Packed lunches for outdoor painting provided by Rydal Hall itself. Special dietry requirements catered for.

What you need to bring
Watercolour, gouache in your own favourite colours. Tube paints please. Pans are too small
Acrylic inks (any brand in your own favourite colours) - optional but recommended
Soft and hard pastels. Highly recommended Unisoncolour and Royal Talens Rembrandt. Cheeper brands are dusty and don't have good pigmentation so a few pro. brands are better than a bag of cheep ones
Fixative any brand NOT HAIRSPRAY!
Canson Mi-Teintes 'Touch' 350gsm pastel paper or similar. NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH CANSON MI-TEINTES 170gsm paper which is too thin and has the wrong surface texture
Canson Moulin du Roy 300gsm (140LB) 'not' watercolour paper highly recommended
Metal easel and drawing board (at a size you wish to work too)
A mixture of different size brushes - the larger the better.
Boots, raincoat, hat, gloves etc
A flask
A small lightweight stool if you prefer to sit when painting outdoors
A small backpack to fit everything in
Bulldog clips to secure your work to the board - especially usefull for outdoors
Lightweight water mixing pot, large watercolour palette
Mixing jars for studio painting days
Masking fluid and an old brush or two to apply it with
Notebook and camera
Your own favourite sketching media (your choice) but highly recommended is Nitram Charcoal, graphite sticks, black and white acrylic inks
An eraser
Kitchen roll and wet wipes

Further information
A very popular art course and with places limited to 18 students maximum early booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. Places fill quickly, despite the number!
Level of fitness needed - moderate to intermediate as there are inclines through wooded terrain to painting locations and some walking over distance involved to other outdoor painting locations - particularly to Rydal Water Lake close to Rydal Hall. You'll have to carry your equipment yourself - no transport is provided so - less is more!

A lesson plan with a full recommended list of art materials will be provided for you upon booking but if in doubt about your level of artistic ability for the course or if you need to discuss your art materials needed in any detail please contact Robert directly to discuss on 0113 2252481 or email rdcreative@ntlworld.com

If in doubt about the correct paper to bring for the art holiday Robert will be able to supply you with the paper you need at a competitive price.

How to book
For further information and to book please contact the administration team on 015394 32050
e: groupbookings@rydalhall.org

Office hours 09:00 to 17:00

Location

Rydal Hall Ambleside LA22 9LX
www.rydalhall.org

Costs

Full board to include accommodation - £440.00

Non-residential - £230.00

Testimonials

I have had some time to think over the course you ran, and I'm still of the opinion that it was pretty much excellent - enthusiastic, individually tailored, aspirational. I'd like to thank you for the considerable effort you clearly put into it, and for the inspiration that I got out of it.- DR - Sunderland

I thoroughly enjoyed your workshop and I was pleased with my first attempt at a pastel landscape with a lot of help and guidance from you! It was a revelation to me to learn this new freer technique and I am keen to do further workshops and residential art breaks with you. Thanks so much Robert- RC – Pickering

Wanted to thank you for a fabulous course at Higham Hall over last weekend. I have learnt so much from you, though I think I am still processing most of it. Woke up this morning to a whole new world of colour spectrum, dark darks, lightest lights and chromatics- CG – Northumberland

You won't even be home yet, but this is to say again, thank you so much on behalf of us all for such a brilliant workshop. You did exactly what it said on the tin, a fun, inspirational day, well taught. Great!! Thanks for your words of wisdom at the end. I've just looked at the photos and am so impressed by all our work.- VS – North Yorkshire

Your presentation was inspirational, informative as well as humorous. As a result, I believe that some Club members and some of the visitors (of whom there were quite a few) will again take up their pastels based on your demo. Thanks Robert!- MR – Leeds, West Yorkshire

Thank you for your interesting and informative demonstration this morning. I have never really tried pastels so I found your talk and style of working most interesting. I am sure that I will give them a try, having seen how you produced such a bright, lively picture in such a short space of time – teaching us all the way through! - DR - Leeds, West Yorkshire

Thanks again for a wonderful course. Truly inspiring. Looking forward to next time!- PD – Castleford, West Yorkshire

A very successful art break Robert and great interaction between everyone. I learnt so much and had a really fabulous time! Thanks- HP – Humberside

The feedback so far to your workshop with us has been great. A really successful, informative day and of you being very energetic, full of enthusiasm and ideas for making imagery using pastels. Come back soon! - DC – North Yorkshire

Thank you so much for the seascape workshop. As I am a beginner in landscape, I was a little apprehensive about attending, but I need not have worried. You are always so patient and kind. I cannot believe how much I have learnt from you already.- BW – North Yorkshire

Thanks so much for todays workshop. It was so wonderful, I enjoyed every minute. Hope to enjoy the experience of another of your courses again VERY SOON!- JF – North Yorkshire

I was inspired by your art, teaching, energy and enthusiasm. I admired the way your work was an expression of your love for the landscape and environment, underpinned by true understanding, knowledge, skill and of course…bags of talent!- CG – Northumberland

This was a very good 'art' day and produced good results with hands on demo and useful tips enjoyed by everyone.- Margaret Smith, Scotton Art Group

Robert's friendly, enthusiastic and encouraging manner brought out the best in our members by instilling, making painting fun and inspirational.- Angela McCall, York Art Society

Robert's workshops are informative with excellent teaching skills and techniques. Well structured and implemented. He relates really well with his students in a very positive way. - Hilary Holroyd, Poppleton Art Society, York

Robert is a very inspiring artist and gives a lot of information, hints and tips in a great way. His use of colour and drawing skills are superb!- Brenda Cooper, Alwoodley Art Group, Leeds

You did a pastel workshop for us which was enjoyed by all who took part. I received a lot of good comments about how much everyone learned from you and requests too for another one in the future!- Pat Jaques, Stockport Art Guild

I've been on many of Robert's art classes over the years and every time he inspires me. He is always encouraging and has shown me how to work through the difficulties in a painting rather than giving up and starting again! A fab tutor! - Helen Patterson (Harrogate)

Great teaching, good company, felt like I got a lot from this great art holiday with Robert- Katy Fortune

Great fun - hysterical at times! So much information and advice - you are a fab teacher Robert...just like I have said before Robert! - Alison Smith

Had a fantastic time. learned a lot of new skills and techniques. Lovely bunch of folk and a great art teacher!! Thanks- Anne Johnstone

Inspirational and entertaining. I feel really motivated to work in a freer more impressionistic style now! Great company, food, accommodation and wonderful painting locations. Will recommend this course thoroughly. Thanks very much!!- Nicky Pritchard

Really appreciate all your hard work and enthusiasm - best course I have been on! Thanks for completely looking after us - Doreen